This is a conference for Eye Care Professionals, General Practitioners, Pharmacists and associated interests in the heart of the Val Gardena area in the Dolomite Mountain Skifields of northern Italy. Friends and guests are all welcome as well.
Held successfully at the same venue in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Italian affair will be on again from Sat 15th to Sat 22nd, January 2011. Running over 7 days with lectures for eye care professionals held between 4pm and 8pm on 4 of them. This leaves plenty of time for socialising. As this is one of the worlds most amazing ski areas, this will naturally take up most of your spare time.
One of the great aspects of this conference is the chance for the various eye care arms to communicate and gain better understanding of their modes of practice and expertise. Originally set up for Australian Optometrists, it has evolved into a true international multi-diciplined conference, with the inclusion of Ophthalmologists, General Practitioners, Orthoptists, Pharmacists, dispensers and practice management/staff into the mix..
Getting together a great bunch of people in a perfect location for a week of casual education, in a relaxed environment, with great secondary entertainment has proved to be a great way to learn. The number of people who back up regularly to these events is testimony to the value they have got out of it. I will warn you that the concept is addictive. Come at your own risk.
The Italian conference venue is a 4 star hotel located in the very convenient town of Selva Gardena (Wolkenstein is the German version of the name). The hotel has an excellent location in the central part of town and is only a 100m walk to the Ciampinoi gondola, which is one of the major ski exits from town. It is well appointed. This will be the fourth time the conference has been held there. There is a nice, heated indoor pool (great to stretch out sore muscles after a days skiing), bar and large lounge areas with wireless internet access as well as a dedicated conference room and serious restaurant serving very nice four course meals as part of the hotel accommodation package. Selva Gardena is a traditional town with a long, rich history (see the Val Gardena section). It is one of three towns in the Val Gardena valley and has the best access to the main ski areas. It is also a perfect entry point for the full Sella Ronda ski area of the Dolomite mountains.
Beginners ski area backs into the venue town of Selva, Val Gardena
Lecture and discussion sessions will be held between 4pm and 8pm on 4 days (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). This allows plenty of time for skiing during the day. The hotel price will include breakfast as well as a full 4-course evening restaurant meal of excellent quality and variety. Evening meals will commence at 8pm each night following the conference sessions, or from 7pm for non-delegates and on the lecture free days. Apartments are self-catering but you can join the meal sessions if you so choose for an extra fee [sorted at the hotel as required].
The actual conference topics and lectures are currently being sorted and will evolve over the coming months. Talks and video presentations will be followed by group discussions and question sessions in a relaxed, informal setting that will allow an exchange of ideas and networking between the delegates. Hopefully this will allow everyday practitioners to exchange ideas on different modes of practice and approach to different problems.
CPD points will be applied for and it is anticipated 32 CPD Australian based Optometrists. If you are not Australian based points from the relevant professional bodies can be applied for but cannot be guaranteed.
The tax deductibility of the conference will depend on individual circumstances but the format is based on existing medical and legal conferences. I have had talks to the tax office and they are satisfied that the conference set up satisfies their criteria. No past delegates have had any issues in claiming but I, naturally, can make no guarantees. You should run this by your tax accountant/adviser.
